Most of Armenian students not prepared for independent life abroad: head of Poland-based House of Caucasus

Day.Az: Tell us about those organizations that you are heading - Azerbaijani Cultural and Information Center, as well as the House of the Caucasus. When and with what aim they were established? .

Hijran Aliyeva- Strauch: Creation of the Azerbaijan Information Center coincided with the Independence Day of Azerbaijan. On May 28, 2002, we spent our holiday at Warsaw University in the presence of the foreign audience. This event attracted attention of representatives of the Azerbaijani intellectuals living in Warsaw. Since that time, our meeting became frequent where we build our plans.

Q: How many Azerbaijanis live in Poland and what they are engaged in? Are there any people who have reached certain heights in a given field and widely recognized?

A: As far as I know, there are about 4,000 Azerbaijanis in Poland. Of course, there are active people among them. For example, Karim Hajiyev who is an architect and head of the Azerbaijani-Polish Cultural Association in Gdansk. By the way, he managed to find in this city two of our compatriots, who for years lived in Poland and taught in local universities. It is worth remembering also Karim Mammadov (artist and architect), Nabi Ibadov (teacher at Polytechnic Institute), Rovshan Rzayev (head of the Azerbaijani Cultural Society "Azer-pol" and businessman) and Elman Mustafazade.

But the most active are women.  Thus, Lolita Kamrovska is a professional translator, Shahla Kazimova teaches Azerbaijani language at Warsaw University and Narmina Hebanovska works in one of the most popular Polish organizations "Other Space", which specializes in the Caucasus project.

Q: What can you say about the Armenian diaspora in Poland? How many people it composes? Is it active including in promoting the so-called "genocide" and the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh?

A: You know, the Azerbaijani students are very resilient. This is an excellent quality, which brings long-awaited success. An Azerbaijani, going abroad, even if not specifically, but roughly knows what he/she wants. It is easy to help them. I a glad that compatriots have a fairly progressive global thinking, which tunes them to humanistic values in decision-making and search for alternative actions. They adapt quickly to a foreign society, overcome stereotypes and are firm in their target.

According to my observations, most of the Armenian students are not prepared, even to an independent life abroad in everyday situations, they always hope for an assitance and are the bearers of regional thinking, which prevents integral process and development of their creative imagination.

However, it should be stressed that the Armenian diaspora in Poland is quite strong, thanks to the so-called "old guards" of Armenians who were born and live here. They are presented in a fairly influential social organizations. We can sadly assume that such people tell  myths to younger generation which leads to xenophobia of Armenian students.

/Day.Az/